Abstract: Systems and methods for improving transducer response sensitivity in an ultrasound-imaging system are disclosed. A preferred method generally includes the steps of: selecting a desired transmit spectrum; quantifying the transmit channel impulse response; calculating a drive signal that when applied to the transmit channel will produce the desired transmit spectrum; and applying the drive signal to the transducer. Other methods include selecting a desired echo response spectrum; quantifying a receive channel impulse response; formulating a filter that when applied to received ultrasound echo signals will produce the desired echo response spectrum; and applying the filter.